Insurance Advisory Partners swoops for Canopius/Hiscox talent

Insurance Advisory Partners, a specialist insurance M&A and capital-raising advisory firm, has recruited the former Canopius group head of mergers & acquisitions to lead its expansion into the London market.

Bhaven Pathak (pictured) joins the firm as partner and head of UK & Europe, effective May 01, subject to regulatory approval.

Pathak will be responsible for leading and developing Insurance Advisory Partners’ operations in London, following the company’s launch in New York in August by banking, insurance and insurtech veterans Tony Ursano and David Kimmel.

Pathak has more than 20 years of insurance, fintech and investment banking experience gained at HSBC, Hiscox and Canopius. As head of M&A at Canopius from 2013 to 2021, he led its sale to Sompo Japan from private equity ownership and subsequently managed the company’s management buy-out. He has since been assisting fast-growing fintech businesses with strategic development and capital raising. Prior to joining Canopius, he led the UK retail strategy at re/insurer Hiscox, having joined the firm from RSA where he was a M&A consultant and strategy development manager.

In the 2021 New Year’s Honours he was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to Business and to the Community.

Ursano said: “Bhaven’s appointment marks an important step in our development. His exceptional achievements during his career across insurance, fintech and investment banking made him the ideal candidate to lead our London office and I am extremely pleased to welcome him to Insurance Advisory Partners. This strategic hire furthers our goal of creating a business that will set the standard for M&A and capital-raising advice for the insurance, insurance services and insurtech industries on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Kimmel added: “As in the U.S., there’s a huge opportunity in London and the wider UK and European insurance markets for an advisory firm with the dynamism, quality and depth of experience to challenge the status quo and establish itself as an effective and valued partner. Bhaven is a diligent and accomplished operator who typifies the fresh approach we’re bringing in providing the highest quality service and advice to our clients.”

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